The Senate a approved on third and final reading a bill declaring every 20th of November as National Children's Day to promote consciousness over the protection of the rights of Filipino children.

Sen. Edgardo Angara, chairman of the Committee on Education, Arts and Culture, underscored the importance of promoting the rights of the children.

"They also have rights like us adults -- and the importance of safeguarding their well-being during their formative years. The most important part of a person's life is from zero to nine, some say, even up to 12 because during that stage, the child's brain is like a sponge," Angara said in his sponsorship speech.

Under the bill, the Department of Education (DepEd) shall facilitate and encourage the commemoration of National Children's Day in all schools, public and private, nationwide while the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development, DepEd, Commission on Higher Education, National Youth Commission and Council for the Welfare of Children will ensure effective information dissemination.

The National Children's Day Act is a commemoration of the United Nations General Assembly Ratification of the Convention on the Rights of the Child which promotes the creation of an environment safe for every child. The National Children's Day is also a recognition of the United Nations celebration of Universal Children's Day.

"We see street children so often that we risk being desensitized to their plight. We fail to recognize the violation of rights when we see it. We need to increase awareness about the urgency of protecting the rights of Filipino children," Angara said. (APPLE BUENAVENTURA, PRIB)